Controversial plans to put housing on peat land dumped by inspectors
28.07.2023 - 13:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Controversial plans to build homes on peat land at Chat Moss in Salford for housing have been scrapped.
The land between New Moss Road and Astley Road had been earmarked for development to provide a ‘high-quality extension’ to the Irlam and Cadishead neighbourhood, next to Irlam railway station. Most of the site has peat across it, but it had been argued that this had been degraded due to decades of draining and agricultural activity.
The decision has been published by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on The Places for Everyone (PfE) masterplan of nine Greater Manchester districts (Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan) for jobs, new homes, and sustainable growth.
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The masterplan determines the kind of development that takes place in each borough, maximising the use of brownfield land and urban spaces while protecting Green Belt land from the risk of unplanned development. It will also ensure all new developments are sustainably integrated into Greater Manchester’s transport network or supported by new infrastructure.
North Irlam has now been removed from the plan after a Natural England intervention but councillors say this will hit their plans to provide affordable homes.
However, Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford City Council, said the inspectors’ recommendations for land east of Boothstown and the extension of Port Salford were ‘positive in terms of meeting housing need and supporting sustainable growth in Salford and Greater Manchester’.
He said: “We have now received the inspectors’ note following the